ST. LOUIS -- Brett Myers won't rescue the Phillies' injury-ravaged starting rotation.
Even though Jon Lieber has joined Freddy Garcia on the disabled list, and even though it's possible neither will pitch again this season, assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the Phillies plan to keep Myers in the bullpen after he returns from a strained right shoulder.
"We're comfortable with Myers being in our bullpen, and our bullpen is still something we need to address," Amaro said after Saturday's 8-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals was compounded by news that Lieber had ruptured a tendon in his right foot Wednesday night.
"We have two guys [Myers and Tom Gordon] who are getting healthier, and our feeling is, they're going to be important pieces in the back end of our bullpen."
Myers, the opening-day starter, was moved to the bullpen April 18 to become a setup man for Gordon. He took over as the closer May 3 and had six saves in seven chances before injuring his shoulder May 23.
After Saturday's game, the Phillies recalled Clay Condrey from Class AAA Ottawa. They previously dipped into Class AA for right-hander Kyle Kendrick after Garcia got hurt two weeks ago, and there are few other options in a thin farm system.
Asked if the Phillies should move Myers out of the bullpen, starter Jamie Moyer said, "Do you add by subtracting? I don't know. That's a key position in the bullpen. If you can shorten a game to seven innings, that's a big thing. I'm glad I'm not involved in making the decision."
Myers, meanwhile, threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Saturday with encouraging results.
"It was probably his best day yet, velocity-wise and arm action-wise," pitching coach Rich Dubee said after Myers mixed in breaking pitches with fastballs.
Helping hand
At a ceremony Saturday morning, Moyer received the Steve Patterson Sports Philanthropy Award. Moyer and his wife, Karen, have developed a foundation that establishes bereavement camps to lend comfort and support to grieving children.
"If you can change somebody's life for the better, golly, that's a great feeling," Moyer said. "I don't feel like it's an award I received. It's an award the foundation received."
Inside pitches
Right fielder Shane Victorino's career-high 14-game hitting streak ended Saturday. ... Entertainer Bill Cosby, a Philadelphia native, was at the game.